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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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Eddie Saikaly
EDDIE SAIKALY
Cedar Rapids
Eddie Saikaly was born in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1958 and died of a heart attack in Temple, Texas, on Monday, Nov. 23, 2015; it was his 57th birthday.
Eddie spent most of his childhood in Villisca, Iowa, until his family moved to Cedar Rapids his senior year of high school. He graduated from Jefferson High School (class of 1977), attended Kirkwood Community College and the University of Dubuque.
Eddie was a sports enthusiast – he grew up wrestling, playing tennis and golf, participated in tennis at the high school level and continued to be an avid spectator his entire life.
Eddie will be remembered for his sharp wit, dynamic laughter and ability to read the good in people.
Eddie stayed in touch with extended family and friends through his early adoption of computers and Internet technology. He spent the last decade working in the IT department at Texas Hydraulics, immersed in his passion for computer technology and what it could achieve.
Eddie shared his interest in wrestling and computers with his son, as well as enjoying the debate of politics or discussing astronomy, art and music with his friends and family.
Eddie's life passed by much too quickly from the mischievous little boy with the angelic smile, to the young man figuring out his purpose, and in the end being able to judge his success by his own measure. A man is more than the totality of the events that inform his life. Eddie was an intelligent and kind man who will continue to occupy our memories as we try to understand the complexities of his experience. We miss him.
Eddie is survived by his son, Jordan (Brandy) Trcka-Saikaly of Cedar Rapids; his brothers, John (Lorie) Saikaly of Walford and Elie (Heidi) Saikaly of Everett, Wash.; his sister, Mary (John) Jones of Beach Park, Ill.; his partner, Betty Hare, and her grandson, Oscar Rendon (Temple, Texas); as well as his nieces, Jessica Dreisen (Washington) and Rachel Saikaly (Ohio), and nephew, Philip Saikaly (Vanuatu).
His father and mother, the Rev. Nadim and Diane Saikaly (Nadim was a former pastor at Olivet Presbyterian in Cedar Rapids), preceded Eddie in death.
Eddie's ashes will be shared with his family. Memorial services will be held at a yet-to-be determined date.
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